HYDERABAD — Engineers have initiated the wet run of a single pump at the Narlapur pumping station, a pivotal component of Telangana’s Pranahita-Chevella Lift Irrigation Scheme (PRLIS), marking a significant step toward the project’s phased commissioning. The trial, conducted on Monday, involved drawing water from the Godavari River and lifting it to the designated canal system to assess pump efficiency, hydraulic performance, and mechanical stability, officials confirmed.
The Narlapur pumping station, located in Jayashankar Bhupalpally district, is designed to lift 1,200 cubic meters of water per second to a height of 111 meters, with the potential to irrigate over 16 lakh acres in drought-prone regions of Telangana. The station is one of 22 pumping stations planned under the PRLIS, a flagship project aimed at addressing chronic water scarcity in the state’s central and southern districts by harnessing Godavari River water.
What Happened: The Wet Run and Its Significance
The wet run is a standard pre-commissioning procedure to evaluate the operational readiness of pumping infrastructure before full-scale deployment. Officials from the Telangana Irrigation Department stated that the test at Narlapur was conducted without major technical hitches, though detailed performance metrics are still under review. The successful completion of this phase is expected to pave the way for full-scale pumping operations in the coming months, contingent on further technical evaluations.
The PRLIS is one of India’s most ambitious inter-basin water transfer projects, involving the diversion of Godavari River water through a network of canals, tunnels, and pumping stations to drought-affected regions. The Narlapur station, with its capacity to lift water to a height of 111 meters, is among the most critical components of the scheme, designed to supply water to Mahabubnagar, Rangareddy, and Nalgonda districts, where groundwater depletion has severely impacted agriculture.
Why It Matters: A Lifeline for Telangana’s Farmers or a Financial Burden?
The PRLIS has been hailed by the Telangana government as a “transformative project” that could double agricultural output in the state’s parched regions. Proponents argue that the scheme will reduce dependence on erratic monsoons, replenish depleted aquifers, and boost rural incomes by enabling two cropping cycles per year. The project is expected to benefit over 1.5 million farmers and stabilize food production in a region where droughts have triggered farmer suicides and mass migration.
However, the project’s escalating costs and repeated delays have drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties, auditors, and fiscal watchdogs. Originally estimated at ₹38,500 crore in 2008, the project’s cost has more than doubled to over ₹80,000 crore, raising concerns about financial mismanagement and cost overruns. A 2022 audit report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) flagged contractual violations, design flaws, and inadequate project monitoring, warning that the economic viability of the PRLIS was at risk.
The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS)-led government, now under the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), has defended the project, attributing delays to bureaucratic hurdles, litigation, and land acquisition disputes. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has repeatedly asserted that the PRLIS is non-negotiable for the state’s agrarian economy, framing it as a necessity rather than a choice in the face of climate-induced water scarcity.
Background and Context: A Decades-Long Saga of Delays and Disputes
The PRLIS was first conceived in 2008 under the undivided Andhra Pradesh government but was revived and expanded after Telangana’s statehood in 2014. The project involves diverting 160 thousand million cubic feet (TMC) of water from the Godavari River to the Krishna River basin, covering a distance of over 500 kilometers through a complex network of canals, tunnels, and pumping stations.
The Narlapur pumping station, with its four pumps (each with a capacity of 300 cubic meters per second), is one of the largest in Asia and a technical marvel in India’s irrigation infrastructure. However, the project has been mired in controversies, including:
– Land Acquisition Disputes: Over 12,000 acres of land were required for the project, leading to protests from tribal communities and farmers in Jayashankar Bhupalpally and Mahabubnagar districts. The Telangana High Court has intervened multiple times to resolve disputes, delaying construction by over three years.
– Environmental Clearances: The project has faced legal challenges from environmental groups, who argue that large-scale river diversion could disrupt aquatic ecosystems and exacerbate salinity intrusion in the Godavari delta. A 2021 study by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) warned that excessive water extraction could harm downstream states like Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, potentially triggering inter-state water disputes.
– Funding Constraints: The escalating costs have strained Telangana’s finances, with the state government seeking central assistance under the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP). However, the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti has raised concerns over the project’s cost-benefit ratio, delaying disbursement of funds.
– Technical Challenges: The lift irrigation system requires massive energy consumption, with the Narlapur station alone expected to consume over 100 MW of electricity. Critics argue that the high operational costs could make the project financially unsustainable in the long run.
Competing Claims and Uncertainty: Will the PRLIS Deliver on Its Promises?
The wet run at Narlapur has reignited debates over the PRLIS’s feasibility and sustainability. Key points of contention include:
# 1. Financial Viability: A White Elephant in the Making?
– Government’s Claim: The BRS government maintains that the PRLIS is a long-term investment that will pay for itself through increased agricultural productivity. Officials cite successful lift irrigation projects in Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh as precedents.
– Critics’ Argument: The CAG report and opposition parties argue that the cost overruns and delays have diminished the project’s economic rationale. The Telangana Congress has accused the government of inflating contracts and awarding projects to favored firms, allegations that the BRS has denied.
# 2. Environmental Impact: Balancing Development and Ecology
– Government’s Claim: The Telangana Irrigation Department has cited Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and compensatory afforestation measures to argue that the project’s ecological footprint is manageable. The government has also promised fish ladders and water release mechanisms to mitigate downstream impacts.
– Critics’ Argument: Environmental groups, including the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and Greenpeace India, warn that the PRLIS could disrupt the Godavari’s flow, leading to salinity intrusion, loss of biodiversity, and reduced water availability for downstream states. A 2023 report by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) raised concerns about inadequate public consultations during the project’s approval process.
# 3. Social Costs: Displacement and Tribal Rights
– Government’s Claim: The Telangana government has stated that affected families have been compensated under the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, and that rehabilitation packages have been provided. Officials claim that tribal communities in Jayashankar Bhupalpally have voluntarily relocated to make way for the project.
– Critics’ Argument: Tribal rights activists and NGOs allege that land acquisition was coercive and that compensation was inadequate. The Telangana Adivasi Sangham has filed multiple petitions in the Supreme Court, arguing that the project violates the Forest Rights Act, 2006, by displacing indigenous communities without consent.
# 4. Technical Feasibility: Can the PRLIS Sustain Long-Term Operations?
– Government’s Claim: Engineers have stated that the Narlapur station’s pumps are among the most advanced in India, with energy-efficient designs to reduce operational costs. The government has also tied up with power companies to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply.
– Critics’ Argument: Energy experts warn that the PRLIS’s power consumption could strain Telangana’s grid, particularly during peak irrigation seasons. The high maintenance costs of lift irrigation systems have also raised questions about the project’s long-term sustainability.
What to Watch Next: Key Developments in the Coming Months
The success of the Narlapur wet run is just the first step in a long and contentious road toward the PRLIS’s full commissioning. Key developments to monitor include:
1. Full-Scale Pumping Operations: The Telangana Irrigation Department has stated that full-scale pumping at Narlapur could begin by mid-2026, provided technical evaluations are successful. The performance of the remaining three pumps at the station will be critical in determining the project’s operational readiness.
2. Environmental Clearances and Legal Challenges: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) is expected to hear petitions challenging the PRLIS’s environmental clearances in the coming months. A favorable ruling is essential for the project’s uninterrupted progress.
3. Funding and Central Assistance: The Telangana government is negotiating with the Centre for additional funding under the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP). The Union Ministry of Jal Shakti’s decision on disbursing funds could make or break the project’s financial viability.
4. Inter-State Water Disputes: The Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal (GWDT) is monitoring the PRLIS’s impact on downstream states. Any objections from Andhra Pradesh or Odisha could delay the project further.
5. Farmer and Tribal Protests: Ongoing protests by farmers and tribal communities could disrupt construction at other pumping stations. The Telangana government’s handling of these protests will be a test of its political will.
6. Climate Resilience and Water Security: With climate change intensifying droughts in Telangana, the PRLIS’s ability to deliver water during lean years will be closely watched. Experts have warned that reduced river flows due to climate change could undermine the project’s effectiveness.
Conclusion: A High-Stakes Gamble for Telangana’s Future
The PRLIS is more than just an irrigation project—it is a high-stakes gamble on Telangana’s
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Story synopsis gathered from: The Hindu – National — source.
